Suspected car thieves lead troopers on miles-long chase

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RENTON, Wash. -- Two people driving in a stolen pickup truck in Lynnwood led troopers on a miles-long police chase down I-405 Monday morning, dodging spike strips three times before finally being stopped when troopers used a PIT maneuver near the SR-167 interchange in Renton.

The chase began around 7:20 a.m. after troopers in Everett clocked a pickup truck going 78 mph on I-5 near 184th St. SW, but the driver refused to stop. Troopers ran the license plate and discovered the pickup had been reported stolen.

Several troopers eventually joined in the chase as it went south on I-405, using spike strips at three different location in an attempt to stop the truck, said Trooper Mark Francis.

"Throughout the chase, troopers attempted to use spike strips but they were unsuccessful," Francis said.

The chase ended up running nearly the entire 30-mile length of the freeway until troopers used a PIT maneuver as the truck drove into Renton.

DOT cameras at Oakesdale Avenue showed the truck spinning around 180 degrees then striking the center median and coming to a rest on the left shoulder. Nearly a dozen patrol cars swarmed the truck after it came to a rest.

Francis said troopers arrested the 25-year-old driver, Arnold M. Foss of Seattle, and a passenger. Trooper Chris Webb says a firearm was also found in the truck, but it's unknown if it was stolen. Foss was also driving with a revoked license, Webb said.

The freeway was shut down during the arrest but reopened a short time later. No one was hurt.